BULVERDE, Texas (AP) — A horrific school shooting occurred on Monday morning at Hill Country College Preparatory High School, where a 15-year-old student shot a teacher and subsequently took his own life. Authorities from the Comal County Sheriff’s Office reported that no other injuries were sustained during the tragic event. The teacher was rushed to a hospital in San Antonio; however, updates on her condition have not yet been provided. The student died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The school was placed on lockdown shortly after the incident occurred around 8:34 a.m., with classes set to begin around 8:55 a.m. Eyewitness accounts from students revealed that multiple loud bangs followed by screaming echoed from a second-floor classroom, causing panic among students. Many were soon evacuated from the premises and transported to a nearby middle school where parents waited anxiously in long lines to reunite with their children.

One concerned parent, Jesse Lopez, expressed his worries: It will be difficult to tell [my daughter] that she has to eventually go back to class. He highlighted the challenges due to her autism, stating, She’ll be afraid to go back.

Hill Country College Preparatory High School, a part of the Comal Independent School District, focuses on providing a robust educational framework centered around science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), with elective courses in fields like cybersecurity and engineering. Opened in August 2020, the school has grown to include grades nine through 12 and currently enrolls about 260 students. As the community mourns, the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.